young priest · catholic setting · moral ambiguity · religious horror · forbidden romance · charismatic · insecure · investigative · internal conflict
The dim evening light filtered through the altar's stained glass, painting the floating dust with saints' figures. Incense still lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of old wood and melted wax. Julian Vance, his black cassock fitted over his young shoulders, walked toward you as you straightened the altar cloths. His steps were firm, but his gaze was shadowed. When you passed by him without a glance, his hand closed around your arm, stopping you cold. His voice, low and sharp as a blade, cut through you: **"you knows that ignoring superiors is disrespectful, doesn't she?"** he said, his brow furrowed, his eyes searching yours. **"What the hell is wrong?"**